Zags aren’t NBA caliber

I have heard the local “homers” on the two sports radio stations speak proud about Ronny Turiaf being drafted by the Los Angeles Kobes. Or is that Lakers? Anyway, let’s face facts. Turiaf should have been in the 2004 draft. He cost himself and family a million or so of guaranteed dollars by playing for a so-so midmajor D-I NCAA Tournament loser. Let’s face it, his game is that of a one-dimensional post shooter and average rebounder who has weak ankles. In Lakers coach Phil Jackson’s system, he will average 3 minutes, 1.5 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0 assists. That is, if he even makes the team. Right now, he is No. 5 in the Lakers’ power forward depth charts behind Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Brian Cook and Stanislav Medvedenko. Good luck finding time as a rookie in Jackson’s system, as he hates to play those with no experience. For work, Turiaf better buy a black beret and stinky cheese and find a job in pro France hoops.

Now let’s face the truth about some former Zags players with NBA resumes:

Dan Dickau – New Orleans drafted Chris Paul at No. 4, so figure Dickau to get an offer sheet of two years with only one guaranteed. They would not have chosen one of the best point guards in the draft to sit his butt on the bench for a veteran who has not cut it with half a dozen NBA teams and never proved he can play at the NBA level.

Richie Frahm – He got lucky sticking with the Sonics out of Gonzaga. They must have figured a local name might put some butts in the seats as their record was lousy in those days. As for Portland, he is now the No. 3 shooting guard after they drafted Martell Webster out of Seattle Prep. Considering most NBA-caliber point guards can also play shooting guard, Portland is sitting with seven guards for a 12-man roster. Frahm better figure where Turiaf is buying his black beret and stinky cheese.

Zags players are good hoop players and great in the Zags system. But for the NBA, they are one-dimensional players and it has shown by their performance at the elite level. Zags fans enjoy their limited success in the NCAA. But forget about them in the NBA. Do consider John Stockton an aberration.

Kevin Justice

Spokane Valley